Francois Klark

At Humber College, your career as a professional artist starts on day one. As you refine your craft, you’ll make industry contacts and build relationships with future collaborators. Just ask 2008 Humber Music graduate Francois Klark, who found a community of likeminded musicians at the College. We spoke with him via email to hear more about his creative partnerships and his career since Humber.

NOW

I recently finished my debut album and released the first single “Spaceman” on August 25. There are two remixes, both courtesy of Humber Music grads (Nick Tateishi, a.k.a. Bus Up Shop, and Giordan Postorino, a.k.a. Giordash), set for release in January 2018. The remixes will be followed by another single off the album, and the debut album is slated for release shortly after.

I’m most excited about the fact that I had the opportunity to record an album that fully captures the sound and songs that best define my musical identity as a writer, producer and a musician at this point in time. With this project, I had the freedom to create, explore and implement a lot of the ideas that I’ve been developing over the last few years. I also had the opportunity to work with musicians and close friends whom I greatly admire, which resulted in a creation process that I cherish dearly. The music would not be what it is if it wasn’t for these individuals that poured so much of their talent, time and care into this project. I am also very thankful to FACTOR and the Government of Canada for supporting the project.

THEN

I have since worked with Universal Music and Decca Records on a project in London, England, and also worked alongside Canada’s Shawn Desman on a project that he spearheaded here in Toronto. Beyond this, I’ve recorded with fellow Humber graduate Cèlia Pallí, shared the stage with such acts as Grammy-winner Jon Bellion, joined forces with human trafficking awareness organizations Free Them and Timea’s Cause in creating music for their awareness campaigns and played tours across England and Spain.

HUMBER

Deciding to study music at Humber is probably one of the most important decisions that I’ve made in my life. It changed the course of my personal as well as professional life and has shaped me as a person and musician indefinitely.

I am most thankful that, through the Humber music program, I’ve met all my closest friends here in Canada, cemented professional relationships, and found my place in the music community.

I fondly think back on my days in Rick Lazar’s Latin Ensemble, which made me fall in love with Spanish music, Trish Colter’s Vocal Ensemble, touring with Denny’s Big Band, and playing my final recital with my closest friends.

One of my favourite things during my time at Humber was watching, and sometimes performing, in the almost daily student-run lunchtime performances in the music lounge. You’d make yourself a quick cup of tea, courtesy of the tea locker (a vacant locker that music students equipped with a kettle, mugs and stocked daily with all kinds of tea), and get cozy on one of the couches for some of the best performances. The sense of community and peer support was so strong during my years at Humber—we pretty much lived in those classrooms, halls and auditorium. I am very thankful to every student that was in the program during my years at Humber.